Find out more about The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Receive the basic training you need to serve in a range of ministries with the Associate of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies degree. In this online program, students will learn about a broad range of Christian topics.

Topics span ministry, biblical, and theological studies. Students will gain a foundational knowledge of biblical counseling, Christian missions, and personal evangelism. Additional studies of the Old Testament, New Testament, and church history strengthen your knowledge of the Christian faith. 

Prepare for ministry roles and further studies with a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies. This online program provides a solid foundation in Christian knowledge to help you fulfill your calling in ministry.

Students will gain an understanding of the Bible, biblical languages, and theology, as well as receive practical ministry training. This online biblical studies degree includes studies of the Old and New Testaments and the histories of the Bible, the church, and the Baptist faith. Studies of Greek and Hebrew provide for an even deeper understanding of biblical passages.

Take your career in full-time educational ministry to the next level with this online ministry degree. Prepare to meet the ever-changing needs of Christian education ministry professionals with this degree that is offered fully online. It focuses on education.  

This program allows you to earn your degree without leaving your place of ministry or traveling to campus. Of course, this program is also available in a modular format. Regardless of the format you choose, you will move through the program with the same cohort and the same faculty supervisor, developing lasting bonds with like-minded individuals.

Advance your career with this online divinity degree. It is designed to help you improve what you are already doing as a church leader. Customize your degree by choosing from a variety of concentrations, including:

• Applied Theology
• Biblical Counseling
• Christian Ministry
• Global Missions

Choose a concentration that is meaningful to you, your ministry, and your work. Other concentrations are available but these are available 100% online, allowing you to earn your degree without any trips to campus.  

This online divinity degree is designed to be an extension of your ministry rather than a distraction from it. You will not have to relocate but you will still be part of a cohort that allows you to develop lasting bonds with other students.

If you are interested in serving in a variety of settings as a leader who reaches out and teaches people of other worldviews, check out this online ministry degree. Learn to apply ethnographic, research, and missiological principles to identify effective strategies to reach out and teach these individuals in a fully online program. You will study these disciplines:

• Philosophical
• Historical
• Biblical
• Anthropological

Graduates are able to provide advanced formal education, guided reading in pertinent missiological literature, field experience, mentoring, and supervision in culturally appropriate ways.  

This cohort-based degree is fully online, with all seminars meeting via videoconference. Coursework includes classroom, research, and practical experiences.

Prepare to be a better biblical counselor with this online pastoral counseling degree concentration that looks at the theological, historical, and contemporary aspects of biblical counseling. Learn to care for people during trying times as a pastor, counselor, or scholar.

All students, regardless of concentration, become more faithful servants to the church. Benefit from academic excellence and mentoring as you learn to advance Christian scholarship for effective ministry. You will be paired with a member of the faculty who will act as your supervisor from day one.

Climb the career ladder with this online biblical studies degree concentration. This program focuses on the pursuit of piety in both the individual Christian and the local church while looking at the nature, theology, purpose, and practice of biblical spirituality.

All students, regardless of concentration, become more faithful servants to the church. Benefit from academic excellence and mentoring as you learn to advance Christian scholarship for effective ministry. You will be paired with a member of the faculty who will act as your supervisor from day one.

Advance your knowledge and career with this online biblical studies degree concentration. Choose to work in either the Old Testament or New Testament with both options being taught completely online with just a couple of in-person seminars.  

All students, regardless of concentration, become more faithful servants to the church. Benefit from academic excellence and mentoring as you learn to advance Christian scholarship for effective ministry. You will be paired with a member of the faculty who will act as your supervisor from day one.

Prepare to better defend the Christian faith with this online theology degree concentration. This program grounds the Christian faith in a biblical worldview, integrating worldview analysis with study in apologetics. Learn to argue contemporary philosophical issues in this program that is available completely online except for a handful of in-person seminars.

All students, regardless of concentration, become more faithful servants to the church. Benefit from academic excellence and mentoring as you learn to advance Christian scholarship for effective ministry. You will be paired with a member of the faculty who will act as your supervisor from day one.

Climb the career ladder with this online theology degree. It prepares students to serve the church as scholars who can engage the culture by offering courses in ethics, public theology, moral theory, natural law, and related areas. Earn your degree completely online except for a few short, in-person seminars.

All students, regardless of concentration, become more faithful servants to the church. Benefit from academic excellence and mentoring as you learn to advance Christian scholarship for effective ministry. You will be paired with a member of the faculty who will act as your supervisor from day one.

Prepare to spread Christianity with this online ministry degree concentration. You will learn to carry the gospel to people all over the world in a program that focuses on the theological, historical, and methodological aspects of Christian missions.

All students, regardless of concentration, become more faithful servants to the church. Benefit from academic excellence and mentoring as you learn to advance Christian scholarship for effective ministry. You will be paired with a member of the faculty who will act as your supervisor from day one.

Become a great Christian scholar with this online religion degree concentration. Learn to analyze philosophical issues from a Christian Worldview in a program that addresses the epistemological and metaphysical dimensions of Christian philosophy.  

All students, regardless of concentration, become more faithful servants to the church. Benefit from academic excellence and mentoring as you learn to advance Christian scholarship for effective ministry. You will be paired with a member of the faculty who will act as your supervisor from day one.

Study preaching with this online theology degree concentration. You will learn to develop and deliver Christ-centered sermons, studying the biblical, historical, theological, and homiletical components of preaching.  

All students, regardless of concentration, become more faithful servants to the church. Benefit from academic excellence and mentoring as you learn to advance Christian scholarship for effective ministry. You will be paired with a member of the faculty who will act as your supervisor from day one.

Become a scholar, educator, and scholar in Christian worship with this online worship degree concentration. Focusing on biblical foundations, historical perspectives, and cross-cultural understandings of Christian worship, this program is available completely online except for a handful of in-person seminars.

All students, regardless of concentration, become more faithful servants to the church. Benefit from academic excellence and mentoring as you learn to advance Christian scholarship for effective ministry. You will be paired with a member of the faculty who will act as your supervisor from day one.

Prepare to serve the church and advance Christianity with this online ministry degree concentration. This program helps students develop a biblical framework for the evangelistic mission of the church and teaches them to analyze contemporary trends in church growth through a program that is almost completely online. You will just need to attend a few seminars in person as you study theological, methodological, and contemporary issues in evangelism.

All students, regardless of concentration, become more faithful servants to the church. Benefit from academic excellence and mentoring as you learn to advance Christian scholarship for effective ministry. You will be paired with a member of the faculty who will act as your supervisor from day one.

Prepare to teach with this online theology degree. This program qualifies graduates to teach in both church history and systematic theology. All courses are available online with only a few short seminars required in person.

All students, regardless of concentration, become more faithful servants to the church. Benefit from academic excellence and mentoring as you learn to advance Christian scholarship for effective ministry. You will be paired with a member of the faculty who will act as your supervisor from day one.

Become a successful leader with this online ministry degree concentration. With this multidisciplinary degree, you will study:

• Communication and pedagogy
• Organizational philosophy and strategy
• Theology and human development

Graduates are confessional scholars who serve as leaders and educators in ministry, higher education, Christian schooling, and educational administration.

All students, regardless of concentration, become more faithful servants to the church. Benefit from academic excellence and mentoring as you learn to advance Christian scholarship for effective ministry. You will be paired with a member of the faculty who will act as your supervisor from day one.

Study the intersection of philosophy and systematic theology with this online theology degree concentration. You will gain the knowledge and skills needed to teach philosophy, apologetics, and systematic theology in a variety of graduate and undergraduate contexts. All courses are offered online with just a handful of short seminars that require in-person attendance.

All students, regardless of concentration, become more faithful servants to the church. Benefit from academic excellence and mentoring as you learn to advance Christian scholarship for effective ministry. You will be paired with a member of the faculty who will act as your supervisor from day one.

Study world religions and learn to respond to them from a Christian worldview with this online religion degree concentration. You will study such religions as Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and new religious movements, learning to evaluate them to advance Christianity and train workers.

All students, regardless of concentration, become more faithful servants to the church. Benefit from academic excellence and mentoring as you learn to advance Christian scholarship for effective ministry. You will be paired with a member of the faculty who will act as your supervisor from day one.

Prepare for faithful service with a Master of Arts in Apologetics. This online graduate program combines apologetics studies with advanced knowledge of the Bible and theology. This program can benefit those preparing for church or cross-cultural ministries.

Courses in this online theology master’s degree examine the Old and New Testaments, biblical hermeneutics, and church history. Additional coursework explores topics in logic, Christian philosophy, moral theory, personal evangelism, and the problem of evil. With the comprehensive understanding you gain from this program, you will be better able to minister to others and defend your faith.

Share your faith and help people through challenges in life with a Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling. Students in this online program will learn how to care for others in need through biblical counseling and personal ministry of the word.

Coursework prepares students for typical problems encountered in biblical counseling, as well as specific considerations for counseling couples, families, and those experiencing trauma and crisis situations. Students will also receive a firm foundation in biblical and theological studies. Graduates can use this degree to provide counseling services in congregational, denominational agency, counseling center, or missions settings.

Prepare for leadership roles with a Master of Arts in Christian Education degree. This online program prepares students for a variety of educational ministry opportunities.

Core coursework connects Christian theology with Christian education and leadership. Students will benefit from in-depth studies of the Old and New Testaments. The program is designed to prepare students for teaching within ministry contexts, rather than official teaching licensure. Graduates may find employment in youth and children’s ministry, discipleship, and executive leadership.

The online Master of Arts in Church Ministries prepares Christians for a variety of service opportunities within the church or para-church organizations. This online ministry degree provides wide-ranging studies of theology, leadership, missions, worship, evangelism, and Christian worldview.

Through core coursework in biblical and theological studies, students will strengthen their understanding of the Bible and progress on their spiritual faith journey. Classes explore the Old and New Testaments and study biblical hermeneutics, Christian apologetics, personal evangelism and devotion, missiology, and biblical worship.

Courses within the Church Ministries concentration cover topics such as:

• Christian discipleship
• Christian leadership
• Christian teaching
• Discipleship ministry

If you plan to serve in ministry or missions work in primarily Islamic communities, the Master of Arts in Islamic Studies will give you a solid understanding of the faith in relation to the Christian mission. Students in this online religion graduate degree will study and gain in-depth knowledge of both Christianity and Islam in order to respectfully share the gospel with our Muslim neighbors.

Christian biblical and theological studies are combined with studies of historical and contemporary Islam and the modern Arabic language. Courses explore the Old and New Testaments, as well as the texts of Islam. Students will take a thoughtful approach to personal evangelism and devotion, Islamic beliefs and practices, Christian theology, and more.

With a Master of Arts in Leadership, students can further develop their faith and help run successful faith-based organizations or church ministries. This online graduate degree ensures you have a solid founding in church theology and biblical studies while providing advanced-level studies of administration and management.

Students begin the program with core studies covering the Old and New Testaments and biblical hermeneutics. Additionally, multiple courses examine systematic theology, while others address Christian apologetics, missiology, biblical worship, and personal evangelism and devotion.

Students in the Leadership major will experience courses such as:

• Leading Change in Ministry
• Christian Teaching
• Dynamics of Organizational Leadership
• Shared Leadership in Ministry
• Discipleship Ministry

Prepare for meaningful missions work with this online Master of Arts in Missiology. This program is designed to benefit students interested in serving in intercultural ministries and church multiplication efforts.

Core classes provide a solid grounding in biblical and theological studies. Within the Missiology major, you will learn about intercultural communication, world religions, intercultural church planting, and more. Students will also gain an understanding of the biblical basis and historical foundations of missions and prepare for spiritual warfare in Christian ministry.

The online Master of Arts in Theological Studies program offers students the opportunity to receive training and education in a convenient format customized to their needs. Students can choose from three areas of concentration within this program: 

• Intercultural Leadership: This concentration is designed for those who are currently serving under appointment by the International Mission Board, North American Mission Board, or other approved Great Commission groups. Courses cover topics such as world religions and Christian mission, ethnographic research and cultural acquisition, intercultural church planting, and leadership in intercultural contexts.
• Lay Leadership (Billy Graham School): Students in this concentration will receive biblical, theological, historical, and practical training for roles outside of professional ministry. Some of the courses in this concentration examine biblical worship, Christian leadership, and Christian teaching.
• Lay Leadership (School of Theology): Receive an education in Christian apologetics, personal evangelism and devotion, and an introduction to missiology in this concentration. Students will also take courses examining the Old and New Testaments, church history, and Christian ethics, in addition to electives of their choosing.

The Master of Arts in Worship Leadership program prepares students for specialized ministry in their local churches. In this online professional degree program, the curriculum combines biblical and theological studies with practical worship leadership experience.

Learn about all aspects of leading worship with classes covering biblical worship, history of Christian worship and song, and worship ministry as discipleship. Students will also learn how to guide worship ministry and lead worship ensembles. The completion of a worship portfolio throughout the program will help graduates find roles in ministry after graduation.

This Master of Divinity online prepares students for a lifetime of ministry. Through this program, students will learn more about the Bible, deepen their understanding of theology, and explore new ways to serve Christ.

The program aims to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and character needed for ministry of all types. The curriculum is divided into four primary sections: biblical studies, theological studies, practical studies, and electives. Students will choose 21 credit hours from each section for a well-rounded and personalized education. Pastors, missionaries, counselors, educators, worship leaders, and more are invited to further their knowledge and abilities with the Master of Divinity program online.